The Self-Penetrating S(word)

SCRIPTURE: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV

THOUGHT: Typically we think of swords as offensive weapons, but the (s)word of God is first self-penetrating. Scripture records these words of Jesus: “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, allow me to take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite (play actor, pretender), first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye (Lk. 6:4 AMP).”

I’ve experienced first-hand how easy it is to see specks in others and neatly overlook my own heavily speckled (if not log-jammed) self. I’ve heard it called “other-centered contempt,” and it’s a smoke-and-mirrors way of keeping eyes off my own “stuff” by focusing on others’. Jesus said it was his to judge not mine, so I would say there’s some very thin ice we’re on as far as offering correction to others. It is Biblical for sure, under certain circumstances by certain people, but it’s not a lifestyle.

The lifestyle is using the Word as a mirror for our inner life. Allowing its sharp blade into the interior where we mostly hide – for fear, for pride, for shame, for sake of ease or for comfort. Allowing the Holy Spirit access to the places where thoughts and attitudes get their start. It’s humbling, first, to put things in perspective about who God is and who we are. It’s another humbling to come to the place where we 1) realize there’s an end to what we can do about our own problems and 2) must throw ourselves on the mercy of the God who is holy and righteous but in mercy shares those benefits with us. After a lot of humbling, the living and active Word makes its home in us, and we become more apt to encourage rather than judge.

The s(word) has done its first, most-necessary work.

PRAYER: Oh God, I am grateful for the sword of your Word. You’ve been a trustworthy surgeon, dividing between spirit and soul, joints and marrow, and thoughts and attitudes. I could have died on your operating table, but you have also healed where you needed to cut things away. Your humbling has not wrecked me with contempt and judgement, it has made me better.